Newstalk Breakfast Highlights

The G7 leaders' summit kicks off today in Carbis Bay, Cornwall in the UK.  This comes after a very positive meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said they are in ‘complete harmony’ over the Belfast Agreement. To discuss this further we spoke to Paschal Donohoe Minister for Finance & President of the Eurogroup. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'

The first in a series of pilot events took place last night as the gates of the Iveagh Gardens were opened to music fans. James Vincent McMorrow headlined the event, with support from Sorcha Richardson. The return of live music. Gates have just opened here at the Iveagh Gardens for @jamesvmcmorrow and @SorchaRichardsn. Hear from the first people in Ireland to attend a concert here since the pandemic began on @NTBreakfast. pic.twitter.com/dLxiz6GsFo — Josh Crosbie (@JoshCrosbie3) June 10, 2021 500 people attended the socially-distanced trial event, with tickets selling out in minutes. Our reporter Josh Crosbie was there to speak wi...

Sun worshipers have set their hearts on a riviera-style sizzler of a weekend. The blue sky may be beaming now, but is it here to stay? Evelyn Cusack is Head of forecasting with Met Eireann joined us with a look ahead to the weekend weather and what will it bring. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

The World Health Organisation is warning of the risk of a deadly autumn Covid resurgence as societies open up and the more transmissible Delta variant advances. Dr. Margaret Harris, Spokesperson for The World Health Organisation joined us on the show this morning to discuss this further. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Family carers are under enormous strain and have noticed significant deterioration in the condition of their family members living with dementia during COVID-19, that’s according to a new report from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. For more on this, we were joined on the show this morning by Aisling Harmon, a carer from Wicklow. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

World leaders are gathering for the G7 summit in Cornwall this week and one of the key talking points is of course the contentious Northern Ireland protocol. For more on this, we were joined on the show by Sky News Deputy Political Editor Sam Coates. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Fans will return at a number of sporting events this weekend with 1,200 people allowed to attend Leinster’s Rainbow Cup Clash at the RDS tonight. A thousand fans will attend Shamrock Rovers game with Finn Harps in Tallaght tonight with Cork City’s meeting with Cabinteely also having fans. The events are the first of 16 pilot events with limited spectators while 200 people will be allowed to attend this weekend’s GAA fixtures. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alex...

People in the southeast of the country look set to have the best opportunity to witness a rare solar event. To tell us all about it is Chairman of Astronomy Ireland and Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, David Moore.  Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A Clare farmer has teamed up with an American dating tour company with a view to getting a wife for 50 Irish and British men in Ukraine. Scariff man James Treacy plans on bringing the group to Ukraine in August 2022 and has collaborated with the website, A Foreign Affair and said he will become the first Irish man to do so. James joined us on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding...

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has been called on to appear before a Dáil committee to explain his opposition to the use of antigen testing.  A meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday heard from numerous experts advocating their use.  Is the NPHET stance on antigen testing too cautious? To discuss this further we were joined by Paul Moynagh Professor of Immunology and Director of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health research at Maynooth University and Gabriel Scally, Public Health Physician, Former Director of Public Health for Belfast, and Professor of Public Health at the University of Bristol...

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Shane in the studio this morning to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol talks, polling practices, and the reopening of Ireland. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

British Airways and Ryanair are being investigated by the UK regulator to see whether they broke consumer law by failing to offer refunds for flights that passengers couldn’t legally take because of coronavirus restrictions. Consumer Journalist, Siobhan Maguire spoke to us this morning with more on this story. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Five local authorities in England have banned pavement smoking outside pubs, restaurants, and cafes, as part of a push to become smoke-free by 2030. With Irish hospitality reopening this weekend is now the time to follow suit? To discuss further we were joined on the show this morning by Professor Luke Clancy Director-General of the Tobacco-Free Institute. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Yesterday Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin defended his party’s practice of having members pose as pollsters to conduct election surveys.  Since then, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have admitted to carrying out similar practices and to discuss their prevalence and indeed the consequences of these revelations is Political Analyst, Odhran Flynn. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Irish Independent has revealed this morning how Sinn Féin provided party members with Fake IDs and an internal training manual on how to misrepresent themselves as pollsters to survey households before and during elections.  Marc MacSharry Fianna Fail TD for Sligo  joined Newstalk Breakfast to give his reaction to this story   Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Parentline has partnered up with Salesforce for a very special fundraising event.  Salesforce is encouraging all of its employees, customers, and partners wherever they live, to take a dip in the sea on Friday, June 11th in a bid to raise funds for Parentline. Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline explained what it’s all about to us on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa...

A leaving cert like no other kicks off today and while the study might be over for students, the work is just beginning for their parents. With advice on how best to support your child (and keep a cool head) over the next few weeks is Dr. Anne Kehoe, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, p...

Proposals to give all workers the legal right to paid sick leave from next year will be brought to the Cabinet by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today. The new bill would provide a “minimum” level of protection to employees who had no entitlement to a company's sick pay scheme.  To discuss further we were joined now by Laura Bambrick social policy officer Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Ne...

The HSE say there has been a rapid decline in the number of cases in people aged over 55, due to the vaccine rollout  Meanwhile, a new Covid-19 test centre has opened in Rathkeale, Co Limerick in response to the high number of cases the county has experienced in recent weeks. To discuss all of these issues we heard from Paul Reid CEO of the HSE. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk s...

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) is welcoming the expected announcement later today by the Taoiseach that foreign travel for holidays will be permitted from July 19, with the European COVID-19 Certificate to be introduced on this date.  They’re also asking that there be no further delay in restarting the travel and aviation industry.  To discuss this further we heard from  Claire Dunne, Managing Director of The Travel Broker and Irish Travel Agents Association Board Member.  Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live...

Complaints about the state of our public service remained high in 2020 despite the impact of the Covid pandemic. The Ombudsman received 3,418 complaints from the public last year, a drop of 6% from the 2019 figures, but the number was still the highest since 2015.  For more, we were joined by the Ombudsman Peter Tyndall. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Students across the country will begin their leaving certificate today with 87% of the 60,000 candidates choosing a combination of both written exams and accredited grades – so how does the leaving cert work this year? Joining us this morning to discuss was the Education Editor with the Irish Times, Carl O’Brien. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A community in Roscommon is rallying together to support a “fantastic and brave” two-year-old boy  Last year, toddler Aidan Kenny was diagnosed with a rare, incurable condition called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy  Friends of Aidan’s family have set up a fundraiser to support his care. Aidan's dad Sean joined us this morning on the show. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Moderna has asked the EU for approval to use its vaccine in children aged 12 to 17.  For more on this, we were joined on the show by Liam Fanning, Professor of Immunovirology at UCC. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Now the nerves will be jangling in households up and down the country with just over 24 hours now to go to Leaving Cert 2021. Norma Foley Minister for Education joins Shane on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The National Broadband Plan is falling far short of its targets despite recent assurances the rollout was on schedule. The company confirmed that just four thousand homes have been reached so far this year out of a target of one hundred and fifteen thousand.  To discuss this further we spoke to Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

A new project has been launched to assess the financial impact of the introduction of four-day working weeks on businesses. The project, which will be undertaken by Four Day Week Ireland, University College Dublin, and Boston College, will also look at the social and environmental impact of a move to a four-day week.  Joe O’Connor, Fórsa campaign director and chair of the Four Day Week Ireland campaign spoke to us on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk...

Forty-seven people in Dublin and eight in Cork were arrested for public order offences over the bank holiday weekend. Would introducing designated areas for public drinking help us regain control of outdoor socialising?  To discuss this further we were joined on the show by Alan Cheevers, Fianna Fáil Councillor for Galway City East. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Ronan Keating has defended his wife Storm after she was the subject of online trolling and ‘skinny shaming’.  The mother-of-two shared a snap on Instagram that showed her in a bikini on the beach with her son Cooper as the family holiday in Portugal. However, some followers were quick to take aim at Storm’s appearance, criticising her for looking ‘unhealthy’.  But just how prevalent is skinny-shaming online? Lifestyle blogger, Niamh de Brún spoek to Ciara. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk...

Anyone who has received a first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine should not be given the Pfizer vaccine for their second shot – that’s the advice from the National Immunisation advisory committee. The HSE are also considering reducing the gap between the first and second dose of the vaccine. Chief clinical officer with the HSE, Dr Colm Henry joined Shane live in studio. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and askin...

Those working in the Irish entertainment, arts and events industry have been amongst the hardest hit during the pandemic. For the past two weeks we’ve been celebrating those sectors in an exclusive Newstalk series – The Show Must Go On! With pilot events starting soon, there is light at the end of the tunnel however. Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.  Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill a...

Parents, staff, and students at St Vincent’s girls' secondary school in Cork are objecting to a potential amalgamation of the school with the North Monastery boys' school and the North Presentation. They want the school to stay as an all-girls school. Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central Thomas Gould joined us on Newstalk Breakfast. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Get your sun cream out as the bank holiday temperatures are to hit 20C. Head of Forecasting at Met Eireann, Evelyn Cusack joined Ciara.   Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Sky sports subscription needed to watch GAA’s champion sip ga Senator Mark Wall Labour Spokesman on Sports has called on Sky Sports to make their first few games free to air. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Defence Forces should increase co-operations with NATO. So said the department of foreign affairs in a submission to the Government’s Commission on Defence. But is that a good idea? Mick Wallace, Independent 4 Change MEP and Declan Power, Defence and security expert gave their views to Shane. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called on members of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission to come before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions about their work. It comes after a member, Professor Mary Daly, spoke about the work of the Commission on an academic webinar on Wednesday, prompting backlash from survivors. Catherine Corless Campaigner and historian spoke to Ciara. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Irish Heart Foundation has called on legislators to tackle the “digital obesogenic environment” by banning the marketing of “junk food”.  Kathryn Walsh, Policy Manager at the Irish Heart Foundation told us about their concerns on the show this morning. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

The Exchequer deficit on a twelve-month rolling basis was just over €12 billion in May, according to figures from the Department of Finance. VAT receipts surged back to pre-pandemic levels last month as the economy reopened after months of lockdown generating €2.3 billion in May. For more, on this Shane was joined on the show this morning by  Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play N...

Free public transport should be examined as a way of promoting less carbon-intensive travel. That’s the call from the Oireachtas Transport Committee who is urging the Government to re-examine current and future road-building projects. To discuss this further Ciara was joined on the show this morning by Brian Caulfield, Associate Professor School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'

It was announced yesterday evening that the leaving certificate results for 2021 will be delayed until September 3rd - so what does this mean for college applicants this year.  For more on this decision to delay leaving cert results, we were joined on the show by  Minister for Education Norma Foley. Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.